Rescue and relief operations by the NDMA, other government organisations, volunteers and non-government organisations were underway in the flood-hit areas…reports Asian Lite News
At least 820 people have been killed and 1,315 others injured in separate accidents caused by heavy rains across Pakistan since the start of monsoon season more than two months ago, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said.
The authority on Monday said that the killed people included 304 children and 178 women who mainly lived in the areas where heavy monsoon rains wreaked havoc, Xinhua news agency reported.
The authority added that the southwest Balochistan province remained the worst-hit area during the ongoing monsoon, where 225 people were killed and 95 others injured in various accidents.
About 2,886.9 km long roads, 129 bridges and 50 shops were swept away by flash floods across the country.
An estimated 504,321 livestock perished in the rains across the country.
Rescue and relief operations by the NDMA, other government organisations, volunteers and non-government organisations were underway in the flood-hit areas.
According to Pakistan’s meteorological department, heavy rains are likely to continue across the country during the next few days.
Bilawal postpones Europe trip
Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has postponed his four-nation trip to Europe in view of floods triggered by heavy rainfall in his country.
“In view of calamities across Pakistan caused by the ongoing heavy monsoon rains and flooding, as well as heavy damages to lives and property, the Foreign Minister has postponed his official visits to Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway,” the Pakistan foreign ministry said in a statement.
“The Foreign Minister is looking forward to his interactions with his counterparts, other dignitaries and media, as part of Pakistan’s continued engagement with Europe,” the statement added.
The ministry added that visits to these capitals will be rescheduled at mutually agreed later dates in consultation with the host governments.
Scattered to widespread rain with heavy falls at isolated places and very heavy falls at one or two places is expected over central and upper Sindh and eastern Balochistan.
Scattered thunderstorm/rain of moderate intensity with isolated heavy falls is expected over the upper catchments of all the Major Rivers along with Islamabad and Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore & Bahawalpur Divisions.
Isolated rain of light to moderate intensity is expected over the rest of the country.
Amidst the ongoing devastation and wreckage caused by heavy rains and floods in different parts of Pakistan, Pakistan’s Ministry for Climate Change warned of more rains in the coming weeks as the government declared a “monsoon emergency” in the country.
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